While following up on a commercial burglary investigation in the Deer area, deputies with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office discovered a registered sex offender that had been living in Newton County for several years, but had failed to register his residence status with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, as required. He had last registered in Missouri. Deputies arrested Thomas Willms, 65 of Deer for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, a Class C Felony. Willms was booked into the Newton County Jail, but later posted bond and was released.